US7859881B2 - Magnetic memory device and write/read method of the same - Google Patents
Magnetic memory device and write/read method of the same Download PDFInfo
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- US7859881B2 US7859881B2 US11/672,261 US67226107A US7859881B2 US 7859881 B2 US7859881 B2 US 7859881B2 US 67226107 A US67226107 A US 67226107A US 7859881 B2 US7859881 B2 US 7859881B2
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11C—STATIC STORES
- G11C19/00—Digital stores in which the information is moved stepwise, e.g. shift registers
- G11C19/02—Digital stores in which the information is moved stepwise, e.g. shift registers using magnetic elements
- G11C19/08—Digital stores in which the information is moved stepwise, e.g. shift registers using magnetic elements using thin films in plane structure
- G11C19/0808—Digital stores in which the information is moved stepwise, e.g. shift registers using magnetic elements using thin films in plane structure using magnetic domain propagation
- G11C19/0841—Digital stores in which the information is moved stepwise, e.g. shift registers using magnetic elements using thin films in plane structure using magnetic domain propagation using electric current
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11C—STATIC STORES
- G11C11/00—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor
- G11C11/02—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using magnetic elements
- G11C11/14—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using magnetic elements using thin-film elements
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11C—STATIC STORES
- G11C21/00—Digital stores in which the information circulates continuously
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11C—STATIC STORES
- G11C5/00—Details of stores covered by group G11C11/00
- G11C5/02—Disposition of storage elements, e.g. in the form of a matrix array
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S977/00—Nanotechnology
- Y10S977/902—Specified use of nanostructure
- Y10S977/932—Specified use of nanostructure for electronic or optoelectronic application
- Y10S977/933—Spintronics or quantum computing
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a magnetic memory device having a magnetic line in which information is recorded in each magnetic domain partitioned by domain walls, and a write/read method of the same.
- Non-patent reference 1 A. Yamaguchi et al., Phys Rev. Lett 92, 077205 (2004)
- a magnetic memory device comprises a first magnetic line which has a plurality of cells made of magnetic domains partitioned by domain walls, and in which information is recorded in each cell, a first write element formed at one end portion of the first magnetic line, and a first read element formed at the other end portion of the first magnetic line.
- a magnetic memory device write method is a write method of a magnetic memory device including a first magnetic line which has a plurality of cells made of magnetic domains partitioned by domain walls, and in which information is recorded in each cell, a first write element formed at one end portion of the first magnetic line, and a first read element formed at the other end portion of the first magnetic line, comprising checking whether a target cell as an object of write exists at one end portion of the first magnetic line, writing information in the target cell by using the first write element, if a result of the check indicates that the target cell exists at one end portion of the first magnetic line, reading out information from a first cell at the other end portion of the first magnetic line by using the first read element, and storing the information of the first cell, if the result of the check indicates that the target cell does not exist at one end portion of the first magnetic line, moving the domain walls by one cell by supplying an electric current to the first magnetic line, and writing the information of the first cell into a second cell at one end portion of the
- a magnetic memory device read method is a read method of a magnetic memory device including a first magnetic line which has a plurality of cells made of magnetic domains partitioned by domain walls, and in which information is recorded in each cell, a first write element formed at one end portion of the first magnetic line, and a first read element formed at the other end portion of the first magnetic line, comprising checking whether a target cell as an object of read exists at the other end portion of the first magnetic line, reading out information from the target cell by using the first read element, if a result of the check indicates that the target cell exists at the other end portion of the first magnetic line, reading out information from a first cell at the other end portion of the first magnetic line by using the read element, and storing the information of the first cell, if the result of the check indicates that the target cell does not exist at the other end portion of the first magnetic line, moving the domain walls by one cell by supplying an electric current to the first magnetic line, and writing the information of the first cell into a second cell at one end
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a magnetic memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention
- FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic views of read elements according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of the write operation of the magnetic memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 4A to 4D are views for explaining the write operation of the magnetic memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of the read operation of the magnetic memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 6A to 6D are views for explaining the read operation of the magnetic memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 7A to 7H are schematic views for explaining the principle of domain wall movement according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a magnetic memory device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing another magnetic memory device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a magnetic memory device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a magnetic memory device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 12 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a magnetic memory device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view showing a write element according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 14A and 14B are schematic sectional views showing read elements according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing the layout of the magnetic memory device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 16A is a sectional view taken along a line XVIA-XVIA in FIG. 15 ;
- FIG. 16B is a sectional view taken along a line XVIB-XVIB in FIG. 15 ;
- FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram showing, e.g., a write current source according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 18 is a schematic circuit diagram for explaining a write operation according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 19A is a sectional view of the write element when spin injection write (data “1”) according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is performed;
- FIG. 19B is a sectional view of the write element when spin injection write (data “0”) according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is performed;
- FIG. 20 is a schematic circuit diagram for explaining a read operation according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 21 is a schematic circuit diagram for explaining a read operation using a reference cell according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 22 is a schematic view showing the layout of a magnetic memory device having a reference cell according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 23 is a schematic view for explaining an address detection method according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 24 is a schematic view for explaining the generation of a current pulse according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 25 is a sequence diagram of a write operation according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 26 is a sequence diagram of a read operation according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 27 is a schematic circuit diagram for explaining a write operation according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 28A is a view for explaining data “0” write according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 28B is a view for explaining data “1” write according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a magnetic memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic views of read elements according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- the magnetic memory device according to the first embodiment will be explained below.
- a magnetic line 10 which functions as a storage element is placed above a semiconductor substrate 1 on which an integrated circuit (not shown) is mounted.
- the magnetic line 10 has, e.g., a linear shape and is made of a ferromagnetic material.
- the magnetic moments of the magnetic line 10 do not point in a predetermined direction as a whole, and a plurality of regions called magnetic domains 11 exist.
- the magnetic moments point in a predetermined direction in the region of each magnetic domain 11 .
- a domain wall 12 exists in the boundary between the magnetic domains 11 having different magnetic moments (the domain wall 12 has a certain finite width although it is simply represented by a line in FIG. 1 ).
- a write element 20 is placed on the side of the semiconductor substrate 1 .
- the write element 20 is separated from the magnetic line 10 and made of, e.g., a metal line.
- a write current Iw is supplied to the metal line, and a magnetic field generated by the write current Iw is applied to a target cell (a cell at an address to be written) TC-w positioned at one end portion of the magnetic line 10 . Since this determines the magnetization direction in the target cell TC-w, data is written in it.
- a read element 30 is placed on the side of the semiconductor substrate 1 .
- the read element 30 is made of an MTJ (Magnetic Tunnel Junction) element using the TMR (Tunneling Magneto Resistive) effect.
- This magnetoresistive effect element changes its resistance value in accordance with the magnetization direction in a magnetic domain.
- the read element 30 has a fixed layer 31 in which the magnetization direction is fixed, a recording layer 33 capable of reversing the magnetization direction, and a nonmagnetic layer 32 formed between the fixed layer 31 and recording layer 33 .
- the recording layer 33 opposes a target cell (a cell storing information to be read out) TC-r positioned at the other end portion of the magnetic line 10 .
- a stray magnetic field from the target cell TC-r or a magnetic coupling with the target cell TC-r transfers the magnetization direction in the target cell TC-r to the recording layer 33 , and data in the target cell TC-r is read out by supplying a read current Ir to the read element 30 .
- the recording layer 33 of the read element 30 can be either spatially separated from or in contact with the target cell TC-r.
- the read element 30 has a fixed layer 31 in which the magnetization direction is fixed, a target cell TC-r positioned at the other end portion of the magnetic line 10 , and a nonmagnetic layer 32 formed between the fixed layer 31 and target cell TC-r.
- the nonmagnetic layer 32 is in contact with the target cell TC-r. Data in the target cell TC-r is read out by supplying the read current Ir to the read element 30 .
- a current source (not shown) for moving the domain walls 12 of the magnetic line 10 is formed at an end portion of the magnetic line 10 .
- An electric current Is supplied from this current source moves the target cell TC-w to a position immediately above the write element 20 , and moves the target cell TC-r to a position immediately above the read element 30 .
- the domain walls 12 of the magnetic line 10 move from one end portion of the magnetic line 10 at which the write element 20 exists to the other end portion of the magnetic line 10 at which the read element 30 exists.
- the write element 20 is placed at the start position in the move direction of the domain walls 12
- the read element 30 is placed at the end position in the move direction of the domain walls 12 .
- the move direction of the domain walls 12 is opposite to the flow direction of the electric current Is.
- FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of the write operation of the magnetic memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 4A to 4D are views for explaining the write operation of the magnetic memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The write operation of the magnetic memory device according to the first embodiment will be explained below.
- the write current Iw is supplied to the write element 20 , and a magnetic field H generated in the write current Iw is applied to the target cell TC-w, thereby writing data D 1 (e.g., data “0”) in the target cell TC-w (ST 2 in FIG. 3 ).
- the read current Ir is supplied to the read element 30 to read out data D 2 (e.g., data “0”) from a cell A 2 at the other end portion (the end portion where the read element 30 exists) of the magnetic line 10 (ST 3 in FIG. 3 ).
- the data D 2 of the cell A 2 is temporarily stored in, e.g., a register (ST 4 in FIG. 3 ).
- the electric current Is is supplied to the magnetic line 10 to move the domain walls by, e.g., one cell (ST 5 in FIG. 3 ).
- the write current Iw is supplied to the write element 20 , and a magnetic field H generated in the write current Iw is applied to a cell A 3 at one end portion of the magnetic line 10 , thereby writing the data D 2 (e.g., data “0”) of the cell A 2 into the cell A 3 (ST 6 in FIG. 3 ).
- FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of the read operation of the magnetic memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 6A to 6D are views for explaining the read operation of the magnetic memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The read operation of the magnetic memory device according to the first embodiment will be explained below.
- the read current Ir is supplied to the read element 30 to read out data D 1 (e.g., data “0”) from the target cell TC-r (ST 2 in FIG. 5 ).
- the read current Ir is supplied to the read element 30 to read out data D 2 (e.g., data “0”) from the cell B 1 (ST 3 in FIG. 5 ).
- the data D 2 of the cell B 1 is temporarily stored in, e.g., a register (ST 4 in FIG. 5 ).
- the electric current Is is supplied to the magnetic line 10 to move the domain walls by, e.g., one cell (ST 5 in FIG. 5 ).
- the write current Iw is supplied to the write element 20 , and a magnetic field H generated in the write current Iw is applied to a cell B 2 at one end portion (the end portion where the write element 20 exists) of the magnetic line 10 , thereby writing the data D 2 (e.g., data “0”) of the cell B 1 into the cell B 2 (ST 6 in FIG. 6 ).
- Address detection for identifying a memory cell in the magnetic line 10 can use various methods.
- the domain walls are moved by the difference.
- the operation is performed by sensing using a power off sensing circuit or by sensing using a potential drop. If a memory system can issue a shutdown command, the storage device operates by receiving this command signal. While an electric current is supplied, a register for storing an address presently positioned in the read or write element is prepared, and the address is stored in the register. The addresses of the target cell and register are compared, and the domain walls are moved by the difference.
- FIGS. 7A to 7H are schematic views for explaining the principle of domain wall movement according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 7A shows a state before domain wall movement.
- the premises are as follows.
- the spin of a conduction electron in a ferromagnetic material is parallel or antiparallel to the magnetic moment (magnetization) in the ferromagnetic material (because the electron energy is low in these cases).
- the magnetic moment (magnetization) in the ferromagnetic material derives from the summation of the outermost shell electron spins of an atom forming the ferromagnetic material (this applies to the iron family (Fe, Co, and Ni)).
- conduction electrons are also the outermost shell electrons, it is regarded as different from an electron which causes the magnetic moment (magnetization) for a brief explanation.
- the principle of domain wall movement will be briefly explained below.
- each spin momentum of the conduction electrons are rotated to parallel or anti-parallel with the magnetic moment in the domain wall ( FIG. 7G ).
- the spin of an electron which causes the magnetic moment rotates ( FIG. 7H ). Therefore, the spin momentum of the conduction electron and magnetic moment exchange their angular momenta. As a result, the domain wall moves.
- the moving distance of the domain wall is proportional to, e.g., the electric current amount or the length of a current pulse, so the domain wall is moved by a current pulse having an appropriate length. Even when the domain wall moving amount is slightly inappropriate, no problem arises if the formation position of the domain wall is determined and the magnetic moments in the magnetic domain point are in a predetermined direction.
- a write element and read element are not formed at the end portions of a magnetic shift register 40 but formed on the bottom portion of the magnetic shift register 40 having a U shape.
- not all cells in the magnetic shift register 40 can be used as memory cells. If all cells in the magnetic shift register 40 are used as data regions 35 and the target cell as an object of read is moved to the position immediately above a read element 20 , data is discharged outside the magnetic shift register 40 by the cell moving amount and lost. The same inconvenience can happen in data write as well.
- the first embodiment forms the write element 20 and read element 30 at the two ends of the magnetic line (magnetic shift register) 10 .
- the magnetic line 10 To move the target cell to the position immediately above the write element 20 or read element 30 , information discharged from the magnetic line 10 is read out and written in the magnetic domain 11 at the start position of domain wall motion. Since this logically forms a looped magnetic shift register, all the magnetic domains 11 in the magnetic line 10 can be used as memory cells. Consequently, a high cell density achieves a large-capacity memory.
- the second embodiment stacks magnetic lines in the first embodiment described above. Note that in the second embodiment, an explanation of the same features as in the first embodiment will be omitted.
- FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic views of a magnetic memory device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The structure of this magnetic memory device according to the second embodiment will be explained below.
- the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that magnetic lines 10 - 1 , 10 - 2 , 10 - 3 , and 10 - 4 are stacked above a semiconductor substrate 1 .
- a write element 20 - 1 and read element 30 - 1 are arranged at the two end portions of the magnetic line 10 - 1 to write data in and read out data from target cells TC-w 1 and TC-r 1 , respectively.
- a write element 20 - 2 and read element 30 - 2 are arranged at the two end portions of the magnetic line 10 - 2 to write data in and read out data from target cells TC-w 2 and TC-r 2 , respectively.
- a write element 20 - 3 and read element 30 - 3 are arranged at the two end portions of the magnetic line 10 - 3 to write data in and read out data from target cells TC-w 3 and TC-r 3 , respectively.
- a write element 20 - 4 and read element 30 - 4 are arranged at the two end portions of the magnetic line 10 - 4 to write data in and read out data from target cells TC-w 4 and TC-r 4 , respectively.
- the write elements 20 - 1 , 20 - 2 , 20 - 3 , and 20 - 4 are respectively separated from the magnetic lines 10 - 1 , 10 - 2 , 10 - 3 , and 10 - 4 , and made of, e.g., metal lines.
- the read elements 30 - 1 , 30 - 2 , 30 - 3 , and 30 - 4 are made of, e.g., magnetoresistive effect elements using the TMR effect as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B .
- a current source (not shown) which applies an electric current Is for moving the domain walls of the magnetic lines 10 - 1 , 10 - 2 , 10 - 3 , and 10 - 4 is formed at the end portions of the magnetic lines 10 - 1 , 10 - 2 , 10 - 3 , and 10 - 4 .
- write and read elements can also be shared by the upper and lower magnetic lines sandwiching the elements.
- magnetic lines 10 - 1 and 10 - 2 share a write element 20 - 1 and read element 30 - 1 formed between them
- magnetic lines 10 - 3 and 10 - 4 share a write element 20 - 2 and read element 30 - 2 formed between them. This structure can reduce the cell area in the stacking direction.
- the second embodiment described above can achieve the same effects as in the first embodiment.
- the second embodiment can further increase the capacity of a magnetic memory by stacking magnetic lines.
- a magnetic line has a three-dimensional U shape. Note that in the third embodiment, an explanation of the same features as in the first embodiment described above will be omitted.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a magnetic memory device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The structure of this magnetic memory device according to the third embodiment will be explained below.
- the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a magnetic line 10 has an inverted U shape with respect to the substrate surface of a semiconductor substrate 1 .
- a write element 20 and read element 30 are desirably arranged at those end portions of the magnetic line 10 which oppose the semiconductor substrate 1 , since these elements are connected to an integrated circuit (not shown) of the semiconductor substrate 1 .
- the third embodiment described above can achieve the same effects as in the first embodiment.
- the third embodiment can reduce the cell area in the lateral direction by using the U-shaped magnetic line, and can increase the capacity by thus increasing the cell density.
- the domain wall move direction is one direction.
- domain wall can be moved to both directions. Note that in the fourth embodiment, an explanation of the same features as in the above embodiments will be omitted.
- FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a magnetic memory device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The structure of this magnetic memory device according to the fourth embodiment will be explained below.
- a write element 20 -A for domain wall motion in a right direction A and a read element 30 -B for domain wall motion in a left direction B are arranged at one end portion of a magnetic line 10 so as to sandwich the magnetic line 10 between them.
- a read element 30 -A for domain wall motion in the right direction A and a write element 20 -B for domain wall motion in the left direction B are arranged at the other end portion of the magnetic line 10 so as to sandwich the magnetic line 10 between them.
- the write elements 20 -A and 20 -B are arranged above the magnetic line 10 , and the read elements 30 -A and 30 -B are arranged below the magnetic line 10 .
- the fourth embodiment described above can achieve the same effects as in the first embodiment.
- the fourth embodiment can increase the degree of freedom of the data shift direction because domain walls 12 can be moved to both directions in the magnetic line 10 .
- the fourth embodiment requires two read elements and two write elements unlike in the other embodiments, the use of the stacked structure prevents the increase in area.
- the fourth embodiment is a modification of the third embodiment, but it can also be a modification of another embodiment.
- the domain walls can be moved to the right and left directions during. Therefore, the initialization speed can be increased by changing the move directions depending on the target read or write addresses.
- the first to fourth embodiments described above use the magnetic field writing method, but the fifth embodiment uses the spin injection writing method.
- FIG. 12 is a schematic circuit diagram of a magnetic memory device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- the circuit configuration of the magnetic memory device according to the fifth embodiment will be explained below.
- magnetic lines 10 having, e.g., a linear shape are arranged.
- Each magnetic line 10 is made of a ferromagnetic material and functions as a storage element.
- the magnetic line 10 has rectangular regions called magnetic domains 11 at a predetermined pitch.
- the spins of electrons point in a predetermined direction.
- Domain walls 12 exist in the boundaries between the magnetic domains 11 . In the magnetic line 10 , therefore, each magnetic domain 11 partitioned by the domain walls 12 functions as a cell, and information “1” or “0” is recorded in each cell made of the magnetic domain 11 .
- a write element 20 connects to a portion below a magnetic domain D 1 of the magnetic line 10 .
- the write element 20 connects in series with one end of the current path of a transistor Tr 1 for accessing the write element 20 .
- a bit line BL connects to the other end of the current path of the transistor Tr 1 .
- a write current source/sinker 41 connects to the bit line BL via a switch SW 1 .
- a control signal CS 1 controls the gate of the transistor Tr 1 .
- a write word line WWL connects to a portion above the magnetic domain D 1 of the magnetic line 10 via a contact C 1 .
- a write current source/sinker 42 connects to the write word line WWL via a switch SW 2 .
- a read element 30 connects to a portion below a magnetic domain D 2 of the magnetic line 10 .
- the read element 30 connects in series with one end of the current path of a transistor Tr 2 for accessing the read element 30 .
- the bit line BL connects to the other end of the current path of the transistor Tr 2 .
- a control signal CS 2 controls the gate of the transistor Tr 2 .
- the bit line BL connects to one input terminal of a sense amplifier S/A via a switch SW 3 .
- This input terminal connects to a current conveyor C/C made of, e.g., a p-channel MOS transistor, and the current conveyor C/C connects to a power supply VDD 1 .
- the other input terminal of the sense amplifier S/A receives a reference signal RS.
- Current sources/sinkers for domain wall motion 51 and 52 connect to the two end portions of the magnetic line 10 via switches SW 4 and SW 5 , respectively.
- the current sources/sinkers for domain wall motion 51 and 52 are designed so as to move the domain walls 12 by one magnetic domain 11 by applying a predetermined current value to the magnetic line 10 for only a predetermined time.
- the switches SW 4 and SW 5 are turned on to connect the current sources/sinkers for domain wall motion 51 and 52 to the magnetic line 10 to apply pulse currents. Consequently, a write target cell TC-w moves to the magnetic domain D 1 immediately above the write element 20 , and a read target cell TC-r moves to the magnetic domain D 2 immediately above the read element 30 .
- write element 20 and read element 30 can also be formed at the end portions of the magnetic line 10 as in the first embodiment.
- FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view of the write element according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. This write element according to the fifth embodiment will be explained below.
- the write element 20 has a fixed layer 21 in which the magnetization direction is fixed, the magnetic domain D 1 of the magnetic line 10 , and a nonmagnetic layer 22 formed in contact with the magnetic domain D 1 between the fixed layer 21 and magnetic domain D 1 .
- the magnetic line 10 and fixed layer 21 are made of ferromagnetic layers.
- the nonmagnetic layer 22 is made of, e.g., Cu or Ru.
- the fixed layer 21 has a large coercive force Hc, and the coercive force of the magnetic line 10 is set smaller than that of the fixed layer 21 .
- the write element 20 as described above is a structure including the magnetic domain D 1 of the magnetic line 10 , and is a so-called CPP-GMR (Current-Perpendicular-to-Plane-Giant Magneto Resistive) element (a magnetoresistive effect element).
- the write element 20 corresponds to the plurality of magnetic domains 11 of the magnetic line 10 .
- FIGS. 14A and 14B are schematic sectional views of the read element according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. This read element according to the fifth embodiment will be explained below.
- the first example of the read element 30 has a fixed layer 31 in which the magnetization direction is fixed, a recording layer 33 formed in contact with the magnetic domain D 2 and capable of reversing the magnetization direction, an insulating layer 32 formed between the fixed layer 31 and recording layer 33 , and the magnetic domain D 2 of the magnetic line 10 .
- the recording layer 33 is preferably made of a material which allows a leakage magnetic field from the magnetic domain D 2 to reverse the magnetization direction in the recording layer 33 .
- the insulating layer 32 is made of alumina (e.g., Al 2 O 3 ) or the like.
- the second example of the read element 30 omits the recording layer 33 by allocating a portion corresponding to the recording layer 33 to the magnetic domain D 2 .
- the read element 30 has a fixed layer 31 in which the magnetic direction is fixed, the magnetic domain D 2 of the magnetic line 10 , and an insulating layer 32 formed in contact with the magnetic domain D 2 between the fixed layer 31 and magnetic domain D 2 .
- the read element 30 as described above has the structure ( FIG. 14A ) connected to the magnetic domain D 2 of the magnetic line 10 or the structure ( FIG. 14B ) including the magnetic domain D 2 , and is an MTJ element (magnetoresistive effect element) using the TMR effect.
- the read element 30 corresponds to the plurality of magnetic domains 11 of the magnetic line 10 .
- FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing the layout of the magnetic memory device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 16A is a sectional view taken along a line XVIA-XVIA in FIG. 15 .
- FIG. 16B is a sectional view taken along a line XVIB-XVIB in FIG. 15 .
- the layout and partial sectional structures of the magnetic memory device according to the fifth embodiment will be explained below.
- the linear magnetic lines 10 run in the X direction, and the two ends of each magnetic line 10 connect to selector, decoder and current sources/sinkers for domain wall motion 50 a and 50 b .
- the two ends of the magnetic line 10 connect to the current sources/sinkers for domain wall motion 51 and 52 via the switches SW 4 and SW 5 (selectors) as shown in FIG. 12 .
- the bit line BL runs in the X direction below the magnetic line 10 .
- One end of the bit line BL connects to a selector, decoder and write current source/sinker circuit 40 a .
- one end of the bit line BL connects to the write current source/sinker 41 via the switch SW 1 (selector) as shown in FIG. 12 .
- the other end of the bit line BL connects to the sense amplifier S/A and current conveyor C/C via the switch SW 3 (column selector (CSL)) as shown in FIG. 12 .
- the write word line WWL runs in the Y direction.
- One end of the write word line WWL connects to a selector, decoder and write current source/sinker circuit 40 b .
- one end of the write word line WWL connects to the write current source/sinker 42 via the switch SW 2 (selector) as shown in FIG. 12 .
- the write element 20 is placed at the intersection of the write word line WWL and magnetic line 10 . As shown in FIG. 16A , one end (the magnetic domain D 1 of the magnetic line 10 ) of the write element 20 connects to the write word line WWL via the contact C 1 , and the other end (fixed layer 21 ) of the write element 20 connects to a base layer BASE 1 .
- the transistor Tr 1 is formed below the write element 20 .
- a diffusion layer 24 a of the transistor Tr 1 connects to the base layer BASE 1 via a contact C 3 , line M 1 , and contact C 2 .
- a diffusion layer 24 b of the transistor Tr 1 connects to the bit line BL via a contact C 4 .
- the write element 20 having the above arrangement is accessed by controlling a gate electrode G 1 of the transistor Tr 1 by using an external address signal.
- the read element 30 is placed below the magnetic line 10 so as to be separated from the write element 30 .
- one end (the fixed layer 31 ) of the read element 30 connects to a base layer BASE 2 .
- the transistor Tr 2 is formed below the read element 30 .
- a diffusion layer 34 a of the transistor Tr 2 connects to the base layer BASE 2 via a contact C 6 , line M 2 , and contact C 5 .
- a diffusion layer 34 b of the transistor Tr 2 connects to the bit line BL via a contact C 7 .
- the read element 30 having the above arrangement is accessed by controlling a gate electrode G 2 of the transistor Tr 2 by using an external address signal.
- FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram of the write current source and the like according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- the write current source and the like according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be explained below.
- the gates of p-channel MOS transistors PTr 1 and PTr 2 connect to a node n 1 .
- the current path of the p-channel MOS transistor PTr 1 has one end connected to a power supply VDD 2 and the other end connected to a node n 2 .
- the node n 2 connects to the node n 1 and a constant-current source IS.
- the current path of the p-channel MOS transistor PTr 2 has one end connected to a power supply VDD 3 and the other end connected to a node n 3 .
- One end of the current path of each of an n-channel MOS transistor NTr 1 (sinker) and n-channel MOS transistor NTr 2 (decoder) connects to the node n 3 .
- FIG. 18 is a schematic circuit diagram for explaining a write operation according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 19A is a sectional view of the write element when spin injection write (data “1”) according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is performed.
- FIG. 19B is a sectional view of the write element when spin injection write (data “0”) according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is performed.
- the write operation according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be explained below. Assume that the write element 20 is already in contact with a magnetic domain (the target cell TC-w) to be written.
- the switches SW 1 and SW 2 and the gate of the transistor Tr 1 are turned on to apply a write current Iw between the write current source/sinkers 41 and 42 . Note that the write current Iw does not flow to any other elements because the switch SW 5 and the gate of the transistor Tr 2 are kept off.
- Data “1” and “0” can be selectively written by changing the direction of the write current Iw. That is, when electrons e flow from the magnetic domain D 1 to the fixed layer 21 as shown in FIG. 19A , the spin injection technique makes the magnetization direction in the magnetic domain D 1 opposite (antiparallel) to that in the fixed layer 21 . In this case, the write element 20 has a high resistance, and this state is defined as, e.g., data “1”. On the other hand, when the electrons e flow from the fixed layer 21 to the magnetic domain D 1 as shown in FIG. 19B , the spin injection technique makes the magnetization direction in the magnetic domain D 1 equal (parallel) to that in the fixed layer 21 . In this case, the write element 20 has a low resistance, and this state is defined as, e.g., data “0”.
- FIG. 20 is a schematic circuit diagram for explaining a read operation according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 21 is a schematic circuit diagram for explaining a read operation using a reference cell according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 22 is a schematic view showing the layout of a magnetic memory device having a reference cell according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The read operation according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be explained below. Assume that the read element 30 is already in contact with a magnetic domain (the target cell TC-r) to be read.
- the switches SW 3 and SW 4 and the gate of the transistor Tr 2 are turned on to ground the current source/sinker for domain wall motion 51 .
- the switch SW 1 and the gate of the transistor Tr 1 are kept off.
- a signal which appears on the bit line BL changes in accordance with the magnetization direction in the magnetic domain D 2 in contact with the read element 30 .
- the sense amplifier S/A compares this signal with a reference signal RS, thereby reading out information from the magnetic domain D 2 .
- the reference signal RS for read is generated as follows. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 , of an even number of (e.g., two) magnetic lines 10 in an array central portion, data “0” is prewritten in the magnetic domains 11 of one magnetic line 10 , and data “1” is prewritten in the magnetic domains 11 of the other magnetic line 10 . Accordingly, a reference element 71 in which data “0” is written and a reference element 72 in which data “1” is written exist as reference cells. In a read operation, a voltage value (the reference signal RS) intermediate between the signal of the reference element 71 having data “0” and the signal of the reference element 72 having data “1” appears on a data bus DB 1 . The sense amplifier S/A compares the reference signal RS with that signal of the target cell TC-r which has appeared on a data bus DB 2 .
- FIG. 23 is a schematic view for explaining an address detection method according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 24 is a schematic view for explaining the generation of a current pulse according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- the address detection method according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be explained below.
- an address detection pattern 60 in which data “1” and “0” are prewritten is desirably formed in a predetermined region of the magnetic line 10 .
- Address read elements 30 a , 30 b , and 30 c connect to the address detection pattern 60 , and read out data “1” and “0” of the magnetic domains 11 in contact with the address read elements 30 a , 30 b , and 30 c . Note that the user cannot access the address detection pattern 60 .
- one unit is made up of eight magnetic domains 11 , and each of the three address read elements 30 a , 30 b , and 30 c reads out data from a specific cell in one unit.
- This specifies the addresses of the magnetic domains D 1 and D 2 currently being accessed (touched) by the write element 20 and read element 30 .
- the addresses thus read out are stored in registers or the like.
- the current source/sinker for domain wall motion generates current pulses to move the domain walls for each pulse ( FIG. 24 ).
- the current source/sinker is designed so as to move one magnetic domain 11 in the magnetic line 10 by one current pulse. This brings the target cells TC-w and TC-r to be accessed into contact with the write element 20 and read element 30 .
- the moving amount of domain wall movement is made smaller by one than the number of the magnetic domains forming one unit.
- FIG. 25 is a sequence diagram of a write operation according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The sequence of this write operation according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be explained below.
- a write signal Sw and an external address signal (a signal of the target cell TC-w) ADw 1 are input from outside the chip (ST 1 ).
- an address signal ADw 2 in one unit is read out by using, e.g., the address detection pattern 60 shown in FIG. 23 (ST 2 ).
- the address signal ADw 2 is temporarily stored in a register or the like, and used to specify the address of the magnetic domain D 1 in contact with the write element 20 .
- the address signal ADw 2 and external address signal ADw 1 are compared (ST 3 ).
- FIG. 26 is a sequence diagram of a read operation according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The sequence of this read operation according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be explained below.
- a read signal Sr and an external address signal (a signal of the target cell TC-r) ADr 1 are input from outside the chip (ST 1 ).
- an address signal ADr 2 in one unit is read out by using, e.g., the address detection pattern 60 shown in FIG. 23 (ST 2 ).
- the address signal ADr 2 is temporarily stored in a register or the like, and used to specify the address of the magnetic domain D 2 in contact with the read element 30 .
- the address signal ADr 2 and external address signal ADr 1 are compared (ST 3 ).
- the use of the magnetic field writing method in data write may pose the problem of miss-writing caused by a stray magnetic field to a peripheral cell. This problem becomes more serious when increasing the density and capacity by micropatterning.
- the fifth embodiment uses the write element 20 connected to the magnetic line (magnetic shift register) 10 to write data in a predetermined magnetic domain 11 of the magnetic line 10 by the spin injection technique. Accordingly, the fifth embodiment directly applies an electric current to the magnetic domain 11 to be written, and allows spin polarized electrons generated by this electric current to act on magnetization. Since this prevents the problem of a stray magnetic field caused by the magnetic field writing method, it is possible to suppress data destruction caused by miss-writing better than in the magnetic field writing method. This makes it possible to improve the reliability of a memory element, and implement a high-density, large-capacity magnetic memory by micropatterning.
- the sixth embodiment uses a write method combining both the spin injection magnetization reversing method and magnetic field writing method. Note that an explanation of the same features as in the fifth embodiment will be omitted.
- FIG. 27 is a schematic circuit diagram for explaining a write operation according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 28A is a view for explaining data “0” write according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 28B is a view for explaining data “1” write according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
- the write operation according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be explained below. Assume that a write element 20 is already in contact with a magnetic domain (target cell TC-w) to be written.
- a write word line WWL has one end connected to a write current source 81 a and sinker 82 a , and the other end connected to a write current source 81 b and sinker 82 b.
- Data “0” is written as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 27 , switches SW 1 , SW 11 , and SW 14 and the gate of a transistor Tr 1 are turned on to apply write currents Iw 1 and Iw 2 .
- the write current Iw 1 flows from the write current source 81 a to the write element 20 via the write word line WWL, and flows into a write current source/sinker 41 via the transistor Tr 1 and a bit line BL. As a consequence, spin polarized electrons act on magnetization in a magnetic domain D 1 .
- the write current Iw 2 flows from the write current source 81 a to the write current sinker 82 b via the write word line WWL. Consequently, a magnetic field generated by the write current Iw 2 acts on magnetization in the magnetic domain D 1 .
- Data “1” is written as follows. First, the switch SW 1 , a switch SW 12 , and a switch SW 13 and the gate of the transistor Tr 1 are turned on to apply the write currents Iw 1 and Iw 2 .
- the write current Iw 1 flows from the write current source/sinker 41 to the write element 20 via the bit line BL and transistor Tr 1 , and flows into the write current sinker 82 a via the write word line WWL. As a consequence, spin polarized electrons act on magnetization in the magnetic domain D 1 .
- the write current Iw 2 flows from the write current source 81 b to the write current sinker 82 a via the write word line WWL. Consequently, a magnetic field generated by the write current Iw 2 acts on magnetization in the magnetic domain D 1 .
- the sixth embodiment described above can achieve the same effects as in the fifth embodiment.
- the sixth embodiment can also reduce the write currents by using not only the spin injection technique but also the magnetic field writing method.
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US20080080234A1 (en) | 2008-04-03 |
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